DAY 09 // HOLD ONTO HIM

Sometimes along life’s journey we shift our attention and focus from the Father and begin to lose our way. I’m comforted that while our actions or inaction can take our single-mindedness from the Father we can never loose our calling and promise in Him. I find myself in a season like this currently in my own life. The apostle Peter has resonated with me recently as he had several moments of losing his focus. In Mathew 14: 26-31 we see one example of this:

“When the disciples saw him walking on the water they were terrified. In their fear, they cried, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage I am here!” Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you tell me to come to you, walking on the water. “Yes come,” Jesus said.

So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

In Matthew 26: 69-75 we see another:

“Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of the those with Jesus the Galilean,” But Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.”

Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” he said. A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, “You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.” Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying- I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed. Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.”

Jesus had spoken to his disciples prior to Peter’s struggles and had spoken big plans over Peters life. Even his moments of doubt and lost focus on who Jesus was and what he was called to be a part of the fact remained that Peter still had a calling on his life and a promise that couldn’t be removed or lost due to his actions.

Matthew 16: 13-19

“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” “Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.” Then he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.”

Acts 2 further confirmed this promise to build his church through Peter. After the Holy Spirit fell in the upper room Peter went out and preached and 3,000 were added to the Church that day.

You see, even though Peter lost his focus, he never lost his calling and promise. If you find yourself in a similar situation as we enter this season of prayer and fasting as a church and feel lost or like your focus is shifted or lacking I would encourage you hold onto the calling and promises you have been given and lean into Holy Spirit and seeking the Father’s heart.